Ya'll want to know the real deal on tithing? All right, here you go:
First of all some have argued that the tithe is old covenant. The tithe has nothing to do with covenant. the covenants dealt with sin, not giving. Additionally, the principle of the tithe, and more so giving, predate the old covenant and the law.
Secondly, a few weeks ago I preached a message on the spirit of the law vs the letter of the law. This is both a natural principle and a spiritual one (Romans 2:28-29). In both cases the idea is the intent of the writer is more important that the words themselves. In other words there are no "loopholes" nor "gotchas" in the Word of God.
For example, Ex 35:3 says one cannot kindle a fire in your home on the Sabbath. Looking at the context it is clear the spirit of the command is concerning cooking... that a woman does not have to work all day making meals for others who are resting, she needs to rest also. However, the letter of the law would say you cannot make a fire for any reason, even to warm yourself. The spirit of the law was not for people to freeze and be miserable on cold nights (that wouldn't be very "restful").
Jesus spent considerable time fighting this mindset, especially in relationship to the sabbath. Mark 3:1-6 is a great example of Him trying to show them the spirit of the law is greater than the letter of the law. As someone else pointed out, Luke 23:23 & Luke 11:42 Jesus tries to address the spirit of giving as well.
So what's the point with tithing?
Many people, including many here, point to the tithe being about grain or food of some kind. And they are right. However, they say it like some sort of "gotcha". How funny would it be if we all brought wheat to church instead of money, ha-ha-ha. "Gotchas" were exactly what the Pharisees continually tried to trap Jesus with, especially focusing on the letter of the law instead of the spirit of it.
What was the letter of the law when it came to tithing? 10% of grain (or something similar). What was the spirit of the law when it came to tithing? To provide for those who do the full time work of the ministry (not just the people, but also the buildings and equipment), so they could focus on it. The tithe isn't about grain, it's about providing. Grain isn't a "gotcha" for now, it was simply the most efficient method for back then.
Now, before anyone get's too worked up there's another side to this as well. 10% is also the letter of the law, not the spirit, and should be treated as such. As someone here pointed out the more wealth you have the easier it is to give 10%. And just like the fire, God doesn't want someone to go hungry or homeless in order to tithe, that's not the spirit.
However, we can always give
something. The Bible says, God loves a cheerful giver. Why? God want's our whole heart and He knows the number one thing that can steal our heart from Him is wealth and finances. That's been true from the beginning. Yet we need finances to get by in this world. So when we understand the principle of cheerful giving and we can give from a heart of gratitude instead of obligation or fear, our heart in lined up with God's heart, and we are in tune with His Spirit instead of the world.
Some like to say the tithe is completely OT. I'd be careful about that, the NT standard of OT principles was always to raise the bar, not lower it, and giving is clearly in the NT. In Acts they sold everything and gave it to the new church. But again, the spirit isn't about an amount nor a percentage, it's about the heart.
So, where does that leave us with the tithe? I like to look at the tithe like this: the tithe is a benchmark. If you are in a position that you cannot possibly give that much without going homeless, clearly, don't do it. But it can be a goal you can strive for. When we have goals like that we tend to do better in other areas of our finances (paying off debt, or not getting more of it for example), which is a good thing for us and biblical. If giving a tithe is easy, then consider it a starting point and ask God what He would have you do beyond that. If you have been giving cheerfully, it shouldn't be hard to find and an answer. Most of all don't get caught up in the percentage, and don't ignore the command to provide for those that do full time ministry, and do it with a cheerful heart.
All that being said, the truth is most pastors/leaders actually hate asking for offerings. They really do. I count myself among them. But it is a important spiritual principle that contributes directly their flock's personal growth. Denying them the opportunity to give, and to teach on why it is important would be stunting their spiritual growth. Giving and teaching on it IS needed. Do some leaders abuse the concept of giving and tithing, absolutely. I've heard stories that I can hardly believe. One leader, (I personally know people that attended there for a long time) actually makes his congregation give him their W-2's every year then compares them to their giving and, FROM THE PULPIT, with a gavel and everything, pronounces blessing or cursing over them based on their giving... talk about awful and controlling! For the life of me I don't know why people continue to attend that church. (the guy also thinks he has greater revelation than the Apostle Paul, so it's more of a cult than a church).
We have to understand
spirit of giving is not to provide an excuse for us to give less, nor a way for leadership to control us, it is to challenge us to examine our heart and get it in tune with God AND provide for the work of the ministry.
So, if anyone is still reading this and any of the following apply to you, this is my challenge to you:
- You are making fun of the tithe due to it being about food. Stop it and check your heart.
- If you grumble every time an offering is taken. Stop it and check your heart.
- If you are searching the Bible for an excuse to not give, or give less. Stop it and check your heart.
- If you are giving out of fear. Stop it and check your heart.
- If you are being bullied into giving. Take a step back and seriously consider if you are in the right place.
- If you attend a local church, make that the place of your primary giving, even if you don't agree with everything they believe.
also:
- Plan your giving. Talk to God about it. Have goals for now and in the future and stick to them.
- Don't get caught up in a percentage, but don't ignore the percentage. Use the tithe as a personal measuring stick to help you get started and set your goals.
- Remember God is a cheerful giver and we are made in His image and likeness. He so loved you that He freely gave the most valuable thing He could ever give.